The Board granted service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) based on the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current TBI residuals had their onset in or are otherwise related to active service.
The deciding factor: The July 2010 and September 2020 VA examination reports and opinions were considered highly probative because they thoroughly reviewed the claims file, discussed relevant evidence, and provided a thorough supporting rationale for the conclusions reached. Additionally, the Veteran's combat-related stressor was established, allowing his lay statements to establish an in-service event.
- Claimed conditions
- traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- June 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25052325
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal requests for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to untimeliness, as the appeals were not filed within one year of the respective rating decisions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic pain syndrome, sciatic radicular pain of both legs, traumatic brain injury (TBI), shin splints of both legs, thoracic spondylosis, right shoulder strain, right wrist strain, acne, and allergic rhinitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claim for a traumatic brain injury to ensure that VA's duty to assist is followed and that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
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